Small study abroad Past Review
By A student (Fordham University) - abroad from 01/25/2012 to 05/25/2012 with
Fordham University: Granada - Fordham in Granada
My time was worthwhile. I was able to experience Granada quickly because of it's size, and I was able to travel almost every weekend thanks to my flexible schedule.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes very dull and boring, not very interesting and not a wide selection. No workload. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Available by email and text |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great homestay--had a fun house mom and dog |
| * Food: |
Lunch was generally good, but dinner was mostly fried food that was defrosted. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There are opportunities to get involved. I recommend doing an intercambio where you are paired with a Spanish person. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I don't recall ever being informed of where to go if I ever needed medical attention. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Granada. There are always people out and about, even during late into the night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It's generally cheap, and I didn't have to spend money on food. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | under 50 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Only bring a certain amount of cash around. Also take out a good amount from ATMs to avoid the constant fees. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were often chastised for not speaking Spanish at all times. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3450 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to your host family as much as you can. Also, participate in an intercambio, which pairs you with a Spanish student. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The classes and what they'd be like |
